Every winter, tourists from around the world flock to southern Florida for some fun in the sun.

But frolicking on the beaches and in the waters of South Florida and Southwestern Florida is a challenge this year as stinky, scratchy sargassum seaweed coats Atlantic Coast beaches and the toxic algae behind red tide continue to kill fish and generate a toxin that can cause eye and lung irritation for sensitive beach goers, footage filmed on March 1 shows.

Experts blame the sargassum seaweed (filmed in Delray Beach) invasion on fertilizer and other land-based nutrients feeding a mega-bloom in the middle of the ocean.

Climate change and warming oceans may also play a role.

Scientists say the red tide that has plagued Southwest Florida (filmed in Englewood) is likely due to Hurricane Ian's torrential rains washing fertilizer and nutrients into the Gulf of Mexico, feeding the algae bloom.

Hurricanes can also stir up nutrients from the sea floor further exacerbating the problem.

Every winter, tourists from around the US and around the world, flock to southern Florida for fun in the sun. But frolicking on the beaches and in the waters of South Florida and Southwestern Florida are a challenge this year as stinky, scratchy sargassum seaweed coats Atlantic Coast beaches and the toxic algae behind red tide continues to kill fish and generate a toxin that can cause eye and lung irritation for sensitive beach goers. Experts blame the sargassum seaweed (filmed in Delray Beach) invasion on fertilizer and other land-based nutrients feeding a mega-bloom in the middle of the ocean. Climate change and warming oceans may also play a role. Scientists say the red tide that has plagued Southwest Florida (filmed in Englewood) is likely due Hurricane Ian's torrential rains washing fertilizer and nutrients into the Gulf of Mexico where it's feeding the algael bloom. Hurricanes can also stir up nutrients from the sea floor further exacerbating the problem.